HE LIKED a joke and would certainly have seen the funny side of his own funeral.

Former second-hand car dealer Kenny Hazel-Scott was given a send-off in keeping with his larger than life personality. He would have loved the fact it had people gazing in wonder at what was going on … including the police!

It was on Wednesday that friends in the car trade came to say goodbye to Kenny, who was well known for his Carousel Cars business in Milnrow. More than 20 vehicles gathered near his parents' home alone.

But taking pride of place at the head of the funeral cortege was a vehicle recovery truck carrying an old Ford Capri with personalised number plates bearing Kenny's nickname Scottie and RIP.

Many of the people who turned up for the funeral were colleagues from the car trade throughout Rochdale, old school chums as well as family and friends.

His partner for 14 years, Debbie Ashdown, said: "If Kenny could have seen his own funeral he would have been laughing, especially when a police car drew up alongside the cortege, not knowing what it was. Momentarily it looked like we were getting a police escort.

"It was a brilliant day filled with laughter and tears as people reminisced about Kenny. He couldn't have had a better send-off. His brother Barry was overwhelmed and proud of Kenny and did not realise how popular he was."

His parents, Ken and Ivy Hazel-Scott, of Smith Hill, said their son had a reputation of being witty and jovial and liked playing tricks on people.

Mrs Hazel-Scott said: "People have told us of the fun and laughter he gave them and how well liked he was. His children loved him to bits and they are going to miss him terribly."

John Hazley, of Rochdale Auto Rescue, who provided the pick-up and Transit van for the cortege described Kenny as "a witty bloke, who was great to get on with."

Mr Hazell-Scott, who died suddenly at the age of 39 on 23 September, leaves three children; Carla,12, Kelsey, 10, and Kurtis, 7

The chapel at Rochdale Cemetery was packed with mourners for the funeral service, which was led by the Rev Robin Usher, of Milnrow Parish Church.

Mr Usher confessed: "Funerals today are much more personalised and more meaningful for the family. But you do get some unusual requests. One grave digger told me that he once got a request to bury a man in his car, which had to be turned down, of course."